Letters to the Editor - 10/20/2012

Editor: There is no need to change the name of Halloween into Harvest Days to acknowledge the abundance presented to Northeastern Pennsylvanians by their hardworking farmers and produce growers, as espoused by the "dear old friend" of Peter Seman ("Celebrate harvest," Your Opinion, Oct. 11).

Such a day already exists and can be traced back to Virginia in the early 1600s.

Our current Thanksgiving holiday tradition is usually traced back to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth, located today in Massachusetts. The 1621 feast was prompted by a good harvest and was intended to acknowledge the role God played in providing the agricultural and wildlife bounty to the Plymouth colony.

Instead of simply renaming Halloween, more has to be done to publicize and promote the concept that Thanksgiving is more than just a day that marks the traditional start of the shopping frenzy of Christmas or the holiday season. The fourth Thursday in November is not just a date set aside for feasting on turkey, all the trimmings and football.

Maybe a renewed emphasis in the media and in society on the historical background of Thanksgiving might result in the holiday gaining a more prominent place during the weeks after Halloween and leading up to the fourth Thursday in November.

Given the rampant materialism that precedes the build-up to Christ's birthday, it is not that holy day that needs society's support, but rather it is Thanksgiving Day that needs the support of Americans lest its true nature be thoroughly neglected and forgotten.

JERRY HISTED

ARCHBALD

Friend to vulnerable

Editor: We lost a great statesman and an extraordinary champion for victims' rights with the death of former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

Mr. Specter leaves behind a remarkable legacy of leadership and accomplishments on behalf of the vulnerable and violated in this commonwealth and across the country.

The senator was instrumental in the passage of the Victims of Crime Act that uses fines imposed on federal offenders to provide compensation and funding for services to crime victims. He led efforts to create a significant and steady source of funding to domestic violence programs through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.

He played a key role in establishing funding for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, operated by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence for 18 years until it became an independent organization in 2012.

Mr. Specter co-sponsored the landmark Violence Against Women Act and tirelessly advocated during the law's unpredictable and, at times, perilous journey through Congress for its initial passage and subsequent reauthorizations.

Time and again, Mr. Specter fought to retain the intent and integrity of these critical laws and programs that offer the promise of hope and justice to victims and their families as they cope with trauma in the aftermath of crime.

His legacy of leadership will continue to be reflected in the work that goes on every day in our communities to make homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces safer.

PCADV and NRCDV will long remember and miss Arlen Specter.

PEG DIERKERS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PCADV

ANNE MENARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NRCDV

Warrior for Pa.

Editor: Although I did not agree with him on all the issues, Sen. Arlen Specter was Pennsylvania's greatest friend and advocate.

I served for Mr. Specter during the twilight of his career. I witnessed a seasoned statesman make some of the most important decisions of his life and at the same time be bitterly torn apart by partisan politics.

Uncle Arlen, as we sometimes respectfully referred to him, didn't duck and cover from who he was. He walked the walk and talked the talk, a rare spectacle among present politics. He stood firm during his trial by fire and was burned by both sides of the aisle's political purity test.

When the people of Pennsylvania needed him, though, Uncle Arlen was there. Although his legacy may have been blemished by America's political tug of war, Mr. Specter's tenacity and magnanimity in fighting for all Pennsylvanians will be his most remembered and revered enterprise.

It will be a long time before Pennsylvania will ever find such a "dynamo" and Washington warrior as Uncle Arlen.

MARCEL LISI

SCRANTON

Explosive issue

Editor: It was in poor taste for a Scranton school director to support one city high school over the other in the "Bell" football game between Scranton and West Scranton high schools.

Maroon and gold fireworks lit the sky when only one city team, which happened to be the visiting team this year, took the field.

For an insurance agency owner to have her insurance company sponsor fireworks for one school over another is normally fine.

However, when that agency owner is a Scranton school director, supporting one city school over the other is simply inappropriate.

The West Scranton Invaders players, students and fans deserve an apology.

MELISSA RAWLINGS

SCRANTON

Merciless margin

Editor: As the parent of three high school students and in my profession as an educator, the hot topic certainly these days is bullying and how much pressure American teens are under.

Sports should serve as a release from this; it provides structure, conformity, and friendships that survive long after the season is over.

I thought it was a misprint when I read the local soccer scores on Wednesday morning's sports page: Mountain View 24, Old Forge 1. Once again, what were the adults thinking?

PATRICE BONIN

DUNMORE

Trolley revival

Editor: As a follow-up to my Sept. 24 letter regarding Scranton Transit Trolley 505, I am happy to report that a committee comprising local businessmen, volunteers and community leaders began plans in earnest this past March to see Car 505 restored.

Their efforts are still in the early stages and as such they had not "gone public" with their news at the time of my letter.

Obviously a project of this scope requires many hands, and I hope that your readers will join me in supporting their efforts in the months to come.

ROCCO A. GENOVESE

DUNMORE

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